Ticonderoga is celebrating 75 years of its Little League, founded in 1952. Longtime supporter Bob Dedrick Sr. highlights the community's commitment to youth development and the program's growth over the decades.
Key points
Ticonderoga Little League celebrates 75 years.
Founded in 1952 to support youth development.
Bob Dedrick Sr. emphasizes community involvement.
Dedrick's father was an original member.
The program has evolved and expanded over time.
Mentioned in this story
Ticonderoga Little LeagueBob Dedrick Sr.Robert Dedrick
TICONDEROGA — Two’s a company and three’s a crowd, but it takes a village to make something special.
Ticonderoga has done it with the Ticonderoga Little League.
“We're celebrating 75 years of Little League in Ticonderoga, and that's a milestone,” Bob Dedrick Sr., a longtime supporter of the Little League, said. “And I really want to thank those individuals that actually thought to start this program way back in 1952.
"They wanted to give something back to the community, and they wanted to help kids. And we've kept that, you know, we've kept that mission alive for all these years and even expanded on it. So I'm just thrilled that we have a great Little League program, and people are still continuing, being successful in donating their time and effort and money to keep this thing going … It’s been rewarding to see development of all the programs over time.”
Dedrick’s father, Robert, was one of the original members that started the League in 1952. Years later, Dedrick joined the team and played with his brothers under his father. After, he moved to umpiring for over a decade.
He called it a family affair. At one point, his sister Darlene was president, his brother Tom was a manager and he was a player agent for everyone. It all came from the legacy of their father.
That’s what makes the league special, he said. It carries a tradition from family to family. Players are coached by parents and one day become the parent coaching their own children.
“It's an unreal thing, honestly, to see people that I played with, people that you go to school with throughout the year, and then people are going from players to coaches when they have their children in it,” League President Daniel J. Woods said.
“People are coming back and volunteering that don't even have children in the League anymore. They're still coaching. They're still helping out the volunteers. They're out there. They want to help. They want to be a part of the good thing that we have going in a positive way.”
THIRD TIME'S A CHARM
Dedrick gave a brief history of the league. One of the first things he mentioned was how the field moved multiple times.
“When I was a young boy, we had Lily Ballpark that was on town property because now, our skating rink was just not big enough,” Dedrick said.
“The parking was horrible, so they moved into a second site, but then they decided to put the sewage treatment plant there.
"They moved into a third site, which is the local area now, which is called the Ticonderoga Recreational Park.”
With the field settled in its current location, a Minor League field was added, followed by a softball field to complete the area.
One thing was certain, if something was needed, someone answered the call, Deidrick said.
“The sole reason why we can continue to do what we do is because of our backing of our community, right down to all the services and the sponsors that we get ... I wouldn't be able to do it without their help," Woods said.
Q&A
What year was the Ticonderoga Little League founded?
The Ticonderoga Little League was founded in 1952.
Who was one of the original members of the Ticonderoga Little League?
Bob Dedrick Sr.'s father, Robert, was one of the original members who started the League.
What is the significance of the 75th anniversary for Ticonderoga Little League?
The 75th anniversary marks a milestone in the community's commitment to youth sports and development.
How has the Ticonderoga Little League program evolved over the years?
The program has expanded its mission to continuously support and develop youth sports in the community.
Related Articles
Sports
How 'pragmatic' Ipswich bounced straight back to the Premier League
Ipswich Town secures Premier League promotion with a 3-0 win over QPR!
Sky Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
Hull complete comeback against Norwich to secure play-off spot
Hull City completes comeback against Norwich to clinch play-off spot!
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports
Millwall condemned to play-offs despite victory
Millwall secures play-off spot despite victory over Oxford
Sky Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
Ipswich promoted back to Premier League at first time of asking
Ipswich Town returns to the Premier League after a 3-0 victory over QPR!
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports
Man Utd's slim CL hopes dented again by WSL draw with Brighton
Man Utd's Champions League hopes take a hit after 1-1 draw with Brighton
Sky Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
El Villarreal se empadrona en la Champions y el Levante en el drama
El Villarreal se clasifica a la Champions tras un 5-1 al Levante, que queda en crisis.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
"Every step of the way of every business, every sponsor, we have just had unbelievable support coming from every single person. The unbelievable support from the community is just overwhelming, and it's a true blessing to have so many people reaching out and offering, not only money, (but) service, support and people volunteering to help out.”
Woods mentioned numerous people, joking he might have forgotten someone, who help out whenever needed. It could be for outfield fences or building dugouts. There’s groups that have set up batting cages and ice cream discounts for players, a tradition continued from years ago.
SPONSORS LINING UP
The Little League has plenty of sponsors lined up, offering support.
“We have a pretty long waitlist to become a team sponsor. Your name goes on the jerseys, and we've had six of the sponsors from back in 1952, back when we started, that are still here today,” League Secretary Marissa Phinney said.
“Getting a chance to sponsor a team and be a part of the League is, you know, hard to come by, and the other sponsors we have for the banners and shoutouts at events.
"We want them to feel like, wow, they really did make the right decision supporting this all these years.”
The Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Employee Mutual Association are a few of the sponsors that have had longtime relations with the League.
Reale Construction, Inc. is the only one to continuously sponsor a Minor League team since its inception.
“We couldn't survive without sponsors,” Dedrick said. “We could not survive, but really could not survive without the people in the community that contribute to the fundraising.
"... One of the fundraisers we do is we have a banner. So any team or any organization or any merchant or anyone who would like to purchase a banner, we keep that up throughout the entire season, lining our outfield, like you see in the pros.
"You know that, it's just a way that the merchants that don't have teams can help support the Little League.”
SUSTAINABILITY
Despite a dwindling population in Essex County, the League is still growing because it brings a wide community closer together.
“It's been a wonderful experience being able to give so many kids the opportunity to just play baseball and come together. Not only Ticonderoga kids, but we have six school districts now within our boundaries that allow kids from Ti, Crown Point, Moriah, Putnam, Schroon Lake and Newcomb school districts all the chance to come together," Woods said.
"It gives kids the opportunity to meet others that they normally wouldn't have had any relations with on the outside, other than everyone coming together for the same reason, to play baseball and learn some life skills, be able to have fun, and have a chance to be kids.”
Dedrick joked it has even softened the high school rivalries between schools. Kids from Ti and Moriah, for example, are growing up and playing sports together.
“When I went to school here, Ti-Moriah was a huge rivalry,” he said. “It still is a huge rivalry, but over the last 15 years or so, our kids are now intertwined with basketball, baseball. And it used to be that you didn't want Moriah to win, regardless of whether you're playing. Now, if they’re playing, I'm always rooting for them, unless it's against Ti.”
With these communities coming together, it keeps a lively atmosphere.
“If you go down to our field, any game at night — they play Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, I think either, I think, two games now on Saturday — it is a great crowd. I mean, a great crowd,” Dedrick said.
"So it's a nice family outing because you also have concession stands. It's a nice family outing for the day, if you want to go down. And then other kids, kids can also play tennis or they can play pickleball or things like that, so it's a nice environment down there.”
PROMISING FUTURE
This weekend, the season opens for it's 75th year of Little League, and parents are ready but so are the kids.
“It's going to be really special for the kids and the whole community,” Phinney said. “And yesterday, two teams did a scrimmage. We had 10 kids in the booth, all fighting to announce over the speakers and just be a part of it. So I think I'm most excited to see the kids down at the field.”
With 253 kids spread across T-ball, Little League and Minor League, the excitement continues to grow. Woods said the League seems to add one team every year.
“It's continuing to grow, and I know one thing that really helps out is we keep our registration costs down to $25 to be able to play 10 weeks of a sport,” Woods said. “That pays for insurance, pays for a jersey and a hat, and you're getting all of this for a $25 fee.
"It's kind of incredible in today's world of what things cost. We have so many supporting sponsors. We have a lot of people that donate, whether it's monetary things or they donate their services. We have so many people in our great community that back us, and it allows us to keep our registration fees down to that $25.
"It's a wonderful thing of how our community can come together for the children and really give everyone the opportunity to play at a really low cost.”
As it continues to grow and expand, more and more people get involved to keep the Ticonderoga Little League a special part of the community.
“I think every year, like it feels bigger, it feels better,” Phinney said. “We're more organized than ever, so when you know a coach volunteers too or a person comes and they volunteer to coach and be a part of the league, you know, they then see we have a business, and we can offer to help do this, and we can offer to do that, you know. And I think it's just the vibe that we have is so good; we're all doing it for the same reason.”
Since 1952, the League has maintained its purpose and been a mainstay to give something to the kids. And one day, those kids will give back. It’s been an ever-changing cycle that’s remained the same over time.
“There's nothing that I could think of that would diminish the future of taking over Little League,” Dedrick said. “If I was a betting man, I would say 50 years from now, we're going to be celebrating the 125th anniversary, so I think it's a great program.
"People recognize that kids love the program. It's been really successful, so I see this thing continuing on for years to come.”
